On This Page You Will Find
- Canada’s latest job vacancy figures
- The occupations with the largest increases in demand
- Wage trends across key occupations
- Which provinces saw vacancy growth
- What the data means for immigrants
- The outlook for Canada’s labour market
- Frequently asked questions
Canada’s labour market showed signs of renewed momentum in the first quarter of 2026, with job vacancies increasing for the first time in nearly four years.
Statistics Canada reported 506,700 vacant positions nationwide in the first quarter, an increase of 11,800 jobs or 2.4 per cent compared to the previous quarter. It marked the first quarterly increase in vacancies since the second quarter of 2022.
For immigrants and prospective newcomers, the latest figures highlight continued demand across transportation, manufacturing, retail, food services and skilled trades, while also showing important shifts in healthcare and professional occupations.
Although vacancies remain lower than a year ago, the pace of decline has slowed significantly, suggesting the labour market may be stabilizing after two years of cooling demand.
Job Vacancies Reach More Than 500,000
Canada recorded 506,700 job vacancies in the first quarter of 2026, up from 494,900 in the previous quarter. Vacancies increased for both full-time and part-time positions, as well as permanent and temporary roles.
The increase helped push overall labour demand higher, with both employment and vacancies rising during the quarter.
The national job vacancy rate remained unchanged at 2.8 per cent, indicating that while employers continue to hire, labour shortages are less severe than they were during the post-pandemic peak.
Another positive sign for employers was a decline in long-term vacancies. Positions that had remained unfilled for more than 90 days accounted for 28 per cent of vacancies, down from 31.2 per cent a year earlier.
Top Occupations Seeing The Biggest Growth In Vacancies
The strongest gains were concentrated in occupations requiring high school education, practical skills or trade experience.
Top 10 Occupations By Annual Vacancy Growth
| Occupation | Vacancies Q1 2025 | Vacancies Q1 2026 | Increase | Average Wage Q1 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material handlers | 4,165 | 7,885 | +3,720 | $20.85 |
| Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers | 4,740 | 6,830 | +2,090 | $17.50 |
| Transport truck drivers | 11,780 | 13,310 | +1,530 | $29.90 |
| Food counter attendants and kitchen helpers | 22,900 | 24,400 | +1,500 | $17.60 |
| Cashiers | 3,315 | 4,225 | +910 | $17.35 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | 5,775 | 6,620 | +845 | $32.60 |
| Retail and wholesale trade managers | 4,100 | 4,745 | +645 | $28.50 |
| Transit operators and bus drivers | 1,750 | 2,365 | +615 | $24.35 |
| Manufacturing and utility labourers | 695 | 1,260 | +565 | $19.85 |
| Restaurant and food service managers | 2,290 | 2,845 | +555 | $25.90 |
These occupations offer a useful guide to where employers are currently experiencing hiring challenges.
Several of these jobs are already common pathways for newcomers, particularly truck driving, material handling, food services, retail management and automotive trades.
Manufacturing, Transportation And Service Jobs Lead Demand
The fastest-growing occupation was material handlers, where vacancies surged by 89.3 per cent year over year.
Demand also remained strong for transport truck drivers, with more than 13,000 vacant positions nationally. Truck driving continues to be one of Canada’s most persistent labour shortages and remains a key target occupation under several Provincial Nominee Programs and employer-driven work permit streams.
Automotive service technicians also recorded significant gains and offered one of the highest average wages among the top-growth occupations at $32.60 per hour.
For immigrants with trade credentials or practical work experience, these figures suggest ongoing opportunities across transportation, logistics, manufacturing and skilled trades.
Sales And Service Occupations Rebound
Sales and service occupations generated the largest quarterly increase among Canada’s broad occupational categories.
Vacancies in the sector rose by 8,400 positions to reach 153,000. This was the first quarterly increase for sales and service jobs since late 2021.
Among the fastest-growing occupations within the category were:
- Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers
- Food counter attendants and kitchen helpers
- Cashiers
Many of these positions offer entry points into the Canadian labour market for recent immigrants seeking their first Canadian work experience.
Healthcare Vacancies Continue To Fall
One notable exception to the broader improvement was healthcare.
Health occupation vacancies fell to 62,700, the lowest level since early 2020. Vacancies declined sharply for:
Overall healthcare vacancies were down 16 per cent compared with a year earlier.
The decline may reflect improved hiring and retention efforts rather than reduced demand for healthcare services.
Job Opportunities Strongest In Ontario, British Columbia And Alberta
Provincial results showed vacancy growth concentrated in Canada’s three largest western and central labour markets.
Quarterly vacancy increases included:
Quebec was the only province to record a significant quarterly decline, with vacancies falling by 3,900 positions.
For newcomers considering where to settle, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta continue to generate the largest numbers of available positions.
What The Numbers Mean For Immigrants
The latest data suggests Canada’s labour market is entering a more balanced phase.
Employers are still hiring, but labour shortages are no longer as widespread as they were in 2022 and 2023. At the same time, more than half a million jobs remain vacant across the country.
The strongest opportunities appear to be concentrated in:
- Transportation and logistics
- Manufacturing
- Warehousing
- Retail
- Food services
- Skilled trades
- Management positions in retail and hospitality
By contrast, competition for highly educated positions may be increasing. Statistics Canada reported that the unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio remained highest among workers with bachelor’s degrees or higher, indicating more job seekers are competing for each available position.
Wages Continue To Rise
The average offered hourly wage for vacant positions reached $29.55 in the first quarter of 2026, up 2.2 per cent from a year earlier.
Importantly for workers, offered wages remained above the average reservation wage of unemployed job seekers, meaning employers generally continue to offer compensation levels capable of attracting candidates.
Among the occupations with rising vacancies, the highest average wages were offered to:
- Automotive service technicians and mechanics – $32.60 per hour
- Transport truck drivers – $29.90 per hour
- Retail and wholesale trade managers – $28.50 per hour
- Restaurant and food service managers – $25.90 per hour
Outlook For 2026
The first increase in job vacancies since 2022 could signal a turning point for Canada’s labour market.
While vacancies remain below their post-pandemic highs, employers continue to recruit heavily in transportation, trades, manufacturing and service occupations. Combined with rising wages and growing labour demand, the figures suggest Canada will continue to need immigrants to help fill workforce gaps across key sectors of the economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are job vacancies increasing in Canada?
Yes. Statistics Canada reported that job vacancies rose by 11,800 positions in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 506,700 vacancies nationwide. This was the first quarterly increase since the second quarter of 2022 and may indicate that labour demand is beginning to strengthen after a prolonged slowdown.
Which occupations have the most growing demand?
Material handlers, truck drivers, store shelf stockers, food counter attendants and automotive service technicians recorded the largest increases in vacancies. These occupations are concentrated in logistics, retail, transportation, manufacturing and food services, all of which remain important employment sectors for newcomers.
Which provinces have the strongest job markets?
Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta recorded the largest quarterly increases in job vacancies. Together, these provinces account for most available positions in Canada and continue to attract large numbers of immigrants through both federal and provincial immigration programs.
Is healthcare still experiencing labour shortages?
Healthcare vacancies remain high, but they have declined significantly over the past year. Vacancies for nurses, nurse aides and licensed practical nurses all fell in the first quarter of 2026. However, healthcare remains one of Canada’s largest employment sectors and continues to offer opportunities.
Are wages increasing for vacant jobs?
Yes. The average offered wage for vacant positions rose to $29.55 per hour in the first quarter of 2026. Wages remain above the average reservation wage reported by unemployed workers, helping employers attract candidates in a competitive labour market.